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Bill Martin
OSKALOOSA, Iowa (July 21) - A long run at the front Wednesday night led to the third Deery Brothers Summer Series win of the season for Ray Guss Jr.
Guss led the last 25 times around the track in the 35-lapper at Southern Iowa Speedway, pulling away from persistent Andy Eckrich following a late restart to earn the $2,000 top prize and add to his lead in point standings for the IMCA Late Model tour.
Jay Johnson, Terry Neal and Jeremiah Hurst rounded out the top five in the midweek show, during the Mahaska County Fair.
Charlie McKenna enjoyed one of the fastest rides not on the midway, leading the first 10 circuits from his outside front row starting spot. Two of the six cautions that slowed the contest came during McKenna's turn at the point, but he stayed in control both times the green flag came back out.
The sixth starting Guss gradually reeled McKenna in, making an inside move in turn four to take the lead away and running at the head of the pack the rest of the way.
Eckrich and McKenna traded the second spot much of that distance, but their entertaining battle came to an end on lap 32 when McKenna's right rear wheel broke, sending him hard into the turn three wall and bringing out the red flag.
McKenna was not injured, though his ride sustained considerable damage. Eckrich tried an inside approach of his own and pulled alongside Guss after the restart, but was rebuffed and wound up second, some six car lengths behind the winner.
Guss now owns 19 trophies from his Deery career, tied with Rob Toland for fifth on the all-time wins list. Eckrich's second place finish matched his career best showing. He'd also chased Guss to the checkers at Davenport Speedway in April.
Engine problems knocked Mark Burgtorf out of his heat and he did not attempt to run a "B" feature. He remains second in the standings, now 55 points off the pace. Eckrich is another nine points back.
The 10th of 16 events on the 2010 schedule is Wednesday, July 28, when the series is at Knoxville Raceway for the Harris Clash program postponed by rain from July 8. Pit gates will open at 2 p.m., the grandstand opens at 6 p.m., hot laps are at 6:30 p.m. and racing starts at 7:15 p.m.
IMCA Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods are also on the card that evening.
Feature results - 1. Ray Guss Jr., Milan, Ill.; 2. Andy Eckrich, Iowa City; 3. Jay Johnson, West Burlington; 4. Terry Neal, Ely; 5. Jeremiah Hurst, Dubuque; 6. Tom Darbyshire, Morning Sun; 7. Jeff Guengerich, Washington; 8. T.J. Criss, Oskaloosa; 9. Jeff Aikey, Waterloo; 10. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown; 11. Tom Goble, Burlington; 12. Kevin Blum, Colona, Ill.; 13. Mark Preston, Port Byron, Ill.; 14. Ryan Giles, West Des Moines; 15. Robby Warner, Quincy, Ill.; 16. Charlie McKenna, Clear Lake; 17. Rob Toland, Davenport; 18. Jason Rauen, Farley; 19. Tyler Bruening, Decorah; 20. Josh Most, Red Oak; 21. Tommy Elston, Keokuk; 22. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis; 23. Todd Malmstrom, Silvis, Ill.; 24. Joel Callahan, Dubuque.
1st heat (top three) - 1. McLaughlin; 2. Guss; 3. Preston.
2nd heat - 1. Giles; 2. Neal; 3. McKenna.
3rd heat - 1. Darbyshire; 2. Elston; 3. Guengerich.
4th heat - 1. Johnson; 2. Eckrich; 3. Bruening.
1st "B" feature (top four) - 1. Goble; 2. Toland; 3. DeFrance; 4. Most.
2nd "B" feature - 1. Hurst; 2. Rauen; 3. Blum; 4. Aikey.
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